Quint's World Games Blog: Iroquois Show Maturity in Win over Australia

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(Inside Lacrosse Photo: Anna Scipione)

Tuesday, July 15: Iroquois Show Maturity in Win over Australia

Iroquois Nationals showed tremendous maturity in win Monday night over Australia. The late game was tied at 8-8 then delayed for two hours. When play resumed the Nationals dominated, winning 12-10 as Tuesday morning welcomed the teams back to their hotel.

What made the difference?

The Iroquois defense was disciplined and did a wonderful job covering the Australian cutters. The Nationals, after committing 13 fouls in Sundays 9-8 setback to Canada, only spent just 3:30 in the penalty box. Oakley Thomas (OCC) has become a full-time starter at close, and the slide packages and communication have been excellent in their last six quarters.

Lyle proves he is World Class

Lyle Thomspons has been ultra impressive with 12 goals and two assists so far. On Monday night, he chipped in four goals and an assist from attack, but was most impressive riding and hustling after Iroquois possessions, fighting to get the ball back for his mates. Twice he sprinted up to the midfield line to disrupt Australian clears.

Warren Hill makes a statement

Goalie Warren Hill (OCC and SU) has been superb, saving 53% thus far. The explosive lefty is aggressive, but cool and calm with the pill. His style reminds me of Doc Schneider (UMass) and every time I see Hill between the pipes, he gets better and unveils new wrinkles in his game, like picking off a sloppy pass to X last night.

Staats gaining confidence

Randy Staats, since halftime of the Canada game, has been playing at an elite level. He is leaning in with a right handed cradle and able to see over his defender or turn the corner and draw doubles.

Tied 8-8, then a two hour rain delay

For the fourth consecutive night, the late game in Denver was disrupted by a lengthy rain delay, none worse than the 2 hour break we experienced last night. Joe Beninati and I, spent out time in a car, listening to First Wave on satellite radio, even heard Men at Work's "Who can It Be Now," which we thought might be a sign of an Aussie rally. But the Iroquois team emerged from their locker room, marching and chanting in two lines, with such focus and purpose, that is was visually clear, they would own the last 22:00 after the break.

Vaughn Harris has a big night

Vaughn Harris has been key cog in the Iroquois lineup this week. Against the Aussies he won 11 of 17 draws, and handled the ball with extreme care. He provide Jeremy Thompson with relief, and for the week has five goals and 35 groundballs.

What's next?

We didn't get off the air until midnight in Denver. Tuesdays critical games include:

Germany vs Israel, 8 a.m. MT

New Zealand v Scotland, 11 a.m. MT, ESPN3

Winners of those games advance to the quarterfinals to face Blue Division seeds No. 3 and No. 4. The top two seeds of the Blue Division receive all-important byes on Wednesday's semifinals.

Canada vs. Australia is at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN3 in the night cap, and bad weather is once again on the menu.

The highly anticipated Iroquois vs. USA game can be seen tonight on ESPNU at 7 p.m. ET.